Recommend me a DA .22 LR that's actually in stock

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Mark 40 said:
Perhaps you guys can enlighten me on what causes key holing to happen?
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If the gun was used, clean the chambers and barrel thoroughly.

Look at the muzzle's crown. Any damage to the crown can upset the bullet's flight.

Did you try a few rounds of Velocitor?

Not trying to put you on the spot here, just trying to narrow down the possibilities:

Without photos of the target I hesitate to ask, but are you sure it was keyholing? I sometimes get tears around the bullet hole that could be mistaken for keyholes but is actually caused by a thin paper target dangling freely without any backing support. Were the "keyhole" groups nice and small or did the groups look like a shotgun pattern? Did you shoot over a rest?

I'm not familiar with the Pathfinder. Pictures on Gunbroker show an external hammer. Did you try shooting it in single action? How were the SA groups?
 
J-Bar thanks for the reply. No, had no Velocitors on hand. It's new and no damage at the crown. Not shooting from rest. I shoot a lot of 22LR at the range at the same hanging targets with no back support and have never seen this.

Retrieved the target fro the trash. Top left and bottom right were the Pathfinder. Top right and bottom left a semi-auto pistol

P3110001.JPG P3110001.JPG
 
Mark 40 said:
J-Bar thanks for the reply. No, had no Velocitors on hand. It's new and no damage at the crown. Not shooting from rest. I shoot a lot of 22LR at the range at the same hanging targets with no back support and have never seen this.

Retrieved the target fro the trash. Top left and bottom right were the Pathfinder. Top right and bottom left a semi-auto pistol

View attachment 1065218 View attachment 1065218
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wow! that's only from 5 to 7 yrds? how is the rifling?
 
This sounds crazy and probably grasping at straws; could the bore be oversized, which would result in the bullets not engaging the rifling?

You could do a quick redneck check by seeing if an unfired bullet can pass into the muzzle and/ or the breech end of the barrel. If it does, the bore is too big.

Might as well check the chamber mouths as well. Ruger has been known to produce revolvers with undersized chambers, which swage the bullet down too small to fit completely in the barrel. If it can happen to a Ruger, I guess it could happen to a Pathfinder.
 
Mark 40 said:
It came yesterday, cleaned and then went to the range. Trigger was as expected for a rimfire, measured just under 14#. Sights for me required about a 12 o'clock hold @ 5-7 yards. Issue of concern was so much key holing, was using CCI MM 40grain CPRN, the only ammo I purchase besides Velocitor. Perhaps you guys can enlighten me on what causes key holing to happen?
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Sorry to hear about that. I remember a thread about a Pathfinder over at RFC having the same issue. https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1231433
 
toivo said:
Can be caused by a damaged crown. That's a quick and easy fix for a competent gunsmith.
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Luckily we have a great one nearby. Either that or send it back to Charter.

chicharrones said:
Sorry to hear about that. I remember a thread about a Pathfinder over at RFC having the same issue. https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1231433
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chicharrones, appreciate the link, very interesting.

Didn't want to hijack the thread but do appreciate the input from J-Bar, tolvo, and chicharrones
 
LeftyRed said:
...The things I would do for an SW model 18 worries me sometimes……..
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Sorry I'm late, we can discuss those things you'd be willing to do for a S&W Model 18 any time you're ready... ;)

Resized M18 w Ahrends Goncalo Alves.jpg

As for the OP, or anybody else looking for a quality DA revolver, my experience says get a S&W K-frame .22 and don't look back. Definitely a "buy once, cry once" proposition. It shoots as well as the 6" barreled Model 17 I had for a while, has a smooth DA trigger, a fine SA trigger and is generally an excellent shooting machine. Don't ask me how much .22LR ammo I've pushed through it, the only number I can come up with is "a lot". Note it was used when I got my hands on it over a decade ago, and it still locks up rock solid even after all of the use I've added.

In my previous life I had occasion to handle a rather large variety of older firearms, of various vintages. There are plenty of reasons why Colt and S&W products continue to bring a premium while many of the "lesser" brands no longer exist. "They don't make them like they used to" isn't necessarily a bad thing.
 
I have a S&W Model 17-3 and couldn't be happier. They really do not make 'em like this anymore. Beautiful and very accurate. The trigger feels just like my centerfire K-frames.
 
TTv2 said:
Guess I could check them out. How is the trigger?
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The trigger is quite good, actually.

Put another 100 rounds or so through it last week, still functioning fine.

The only ‘problem’ is that AL22s are likewise becoming hard to find.
 
One that’s is hit or miss is Arminius. I have a 22lr that I paid $59 for around 2010 and I would gladly buy another. They are cheap still so even if you ended up with a lemon you could just buy another.
 
jdc1244 said:
Which is the problem – hence the OP’s thread.

It doesn’t matter how good the K-22/Model 17/617 might be if there are none to be obtained.
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There are near 140 S&W .22cal revolvers listed on Gunbroker alone as of this writing. They are out there but they aren't giving them away. It's just that many LGS don't stock them due to the price they need to get ( and most buyers unwillingness to spend north of $700 on a .22)
 
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Tacoma said:
To take that a step further, shooting .22LR over factory centerfire will likely help pay for the gun itself over a short time.
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Even over hand loading these days. Cheapest I can find primers is .08 each, if you can find them locally at all. Then you still need a bullet and powder.
 
Ya, I recently bought a S&W K22 Masterpiece circa 1949...online for $700 (not including title, taxes, destination charges, packaging, radio or floormats). Was it worth it? IMO, yes.

They don't make 'em like they used to, and never again will for that price.
 
WestKentucky said:
One that’s is hit or miss is Arminius. I have a 22lr that I paid $59 for around 2010 and I would gladly buy another. They are cheap still so even if you ended up with a lemon you could just buy another.
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While I am vehemently opposed to paying 25% more than jormal for a K-22, 617, or GP100 .22 revolver, I'm also opposed to paying for a brand like Arminius. Even H&R I question due to the volume of shooting I'd be doing with it.
 
Mark 40 said:
J-Bar thanks for the reply. No, had no Velocitors on hand. It's new and no damage at the crown. Not shooting from rest. I shoot a lot of 22LR at the range at the same hanging targets with no back support and have never seen this.

Retrieved the target fro the trash. Top left and bottom right were the Pathfinder. Top right and bottom left a semi-auto pistol

View attachment 1065218 View attachment 1065218
Click to expand...
Well,I certainly won't be buying a Charter .22 anytime soon.
 
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